in check

Idioms  

1. Restrained from moving or acting; under control. For example, The first division held the enemy in check, or Mary kept her emotions in check. This term replaced at check and out of check, which date from the mid-1500s.

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Example Sentences

About the only familiarity Thursday was the scoring, kept in check by a strong wind that finally shooed away the fog and gave Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and the rest all they could handle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

After meeting Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week, Xi may want to ensure he also keeps North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in check, especially as Beijing increases its presence on the global stage.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

As the medications become more accessible through price cuts and the introduction of a pill version, retailers are taking a harder line to keep returns in check.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The central bank hiked rates by 0.5 basis points to 5.25 percent last month -- the first increase in two years -- as it looked to stabilise the rupiah and keep inflation in check.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Now he had spoken his name, and emotions, fears, that he had held in check all day surged up through him.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Related Words

• discreet
• laid-back
• mild
• muted
• reasonable
• reticent
• subdued
• tasteful
• unobtrusive